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Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
PCI Security Standards Council · professional
PCI QSAPCI Qualified Security Assessor
PCI Qualified Security Assessor
Official pageComparing
PCI Security Standards CouncilPCI QSA
› Cost
Exam fee
PCI QSA$0
Exam fee
$0
Annual maintenance fee
PCI QSA—
Annual maintenance fee
—
3-year cost of ownership
PCI QSA$0
3-year cost of ownership
$0
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
PCI QSA—
Pass mark
—
Retake policy
PCI QSA—
Retake policy
—
Study time
PCI QSA80–160 hrs
Study time
80–160 hrs
Validity
PCI QSA—
Validity
—
CPE / yr
PCI QSA—
CPE / yr
—
Delivery
PCI QSA—
Delivery
—
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
PCI QSA—
Range
—
Median
PCI QSA—
Median
—
Premium %
PCI QSA—
Premium %
—
Role context
PCI QSA—
Role context
—
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
PCI QSA8.5
Schema quality
8.5
Practice evidence
PCI QSA5.0
Practice evidence
5.0
Maintenance
PCI QSA9.0
Maintenance
9.0
Market recognition
PCI QSA8.0
Market recognition
8.0
Average
PCI QSA7.6
Average
7.6
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
PCI QSAGlobal
Recognition
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
PCI QSA—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
DoD 8140 baseline
PCI QSA—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
Holders worldwide
PCI QSA—
Holders worldwide
—
Current version
PCI QSA—
Current version
—
› Domain coverage
A1Governance, Risk & Compliance
PCI QSA● core
A1Governance, Risk & Compliance
● core
A12Data Security, Privacy & Protection
PCI QSA● core
A12Data Security, Privacy & Protection
● core
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